Final Hw!
December 10, 2008
The ethicist that I found to be least appealing was John Stuart Mill on Utilitarianism. His views were not as easy to comprehend at first compared to others we spoke of. I also feel that there were many arguments against his theories that made him less credible. He believed that all actions should be directed toward achieving the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people, however there were situations where it would be impossible to do this. I mentioned in previous blogs a story about a woman donating her kidney to a man that later murders ten people one day. I mean it is ridiculous to think that she was immoral for donating that kidney to a man that becomes a killer. However, in utilitarianism, she would be held accountable for that action because it brought the least amount of happiness to the least amount of people. Mill was definitely one of the ethicist that I thought was a bit over the top.
December 12, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Although Mill can be hard to understand, I feel his theory is good. I feel your example of the woman donating her kidney and then that person goes on a murder spree can’t be applied. Another moral agent stepped in and took over. Her action increased overall happiness because she saved a life. However, when the person then went on to murder, it was out of her hands and became his action. I think Mill would not hold her responsible.